At the end of 2019, when I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 22 I was forced to think about my future in every possible way. Shortly after my 23rd birthday in the midst of the pandemic, I was given the chance to freeze my eggs through a funded program.

The plan was simple: after five years of hormone therapy, I would be able to revisit this decision and I could decide what I wanted to do regarding my fertility.

Unfortunately, I was re-diagnosed in 2023 and placed on a new long term treatment, one that delays the possibility of conception further. When I asked for an extension to continue storing my eggs, I was told I'd now have to cover the cost myself. I even contacted my MP and unfortunately was offered no support either.

Throughout the past five and a half years I feel proud of how I have navigated it all: my diagnosis, treatment, university, teaching, the unknowns. I’ve stayed positive and calm. But being asked to pay for my eggs, despite a recurrence and still being in treatment feels deeply unjust.

Fertility, I hope, is part of my future and my healing. I don’t know the impact chemotherapy and hormone therapy will have on this but I do know I have to now fund this yearly to keep that door open. If you're able to help in any small way, I’d be incredibly grateful.